Feed, transport and delivery mechanism for book trimmers and the like

ABSTRACT

A transport mechanism preferably for use in combination with book trimmer apparatus includes a plurality of displaceable transport belts disposed in sets in opposition to each other which clamp a book therebetween. While clamping the book, the transport belts travel with it to a first station which may be a side knife cutting station, halt briefly, and then move on preferably through a second station to a delivery mechanism. The transport belts travel intermittently so as to be stationary when the book is delivered to the first station and to halt the book at the first and second stations. Displacement means in conjunction with one set of the belts separate the transport belt sets at the first station to permit the book to be fed between the belt sets. Return means bring the belts together again to clamp the book for travel preferably to a delivery mechanism which may include speeder belts for engaging the book from below and speeding it away from the transport belts.

United States Patent Sarring Aug. 20, 1974 FEED, TRANSPORT AND DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR BOOK TRIMMERS AND 1 Primary ExaminerRichard E. Aegerter THE LIKE [75] Inventor: Ernest J. Sarring, Western Springs, ABSTRACT A transport mechanism preferably for use in combina- [73] Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation, with book trimmer apparatus includes a P y Pittsburgh, of displaceable transport belts disposed in sets in oposition to each other which clam a book therebe- [22] led: 1972 t ween. While clamping the book, t he transport belts 211 App[ 29 ,1 2 travel with it to a first station which may be a side knife cutting station, halt briefly, and then move on Related Appl'cauon Data preferably through a second station to a delivery Division Of $811 114,225, 10, 1971, mechanism. The transport belts travel intermittently 3,722,336 so as to be stationary when the book is delivered to the first station and to halt the book at the first and [52] US. Cl. 198/165 Second Stations Displacement means i conjunction [51] Int. Cl B65g 15/14 with one Set f the belts Separate the transport belt Fled of Search ets at the first station to permit the book to be fed between the belt sets. Return means bring the belts to- [56] References Clted gether again to clamp the book for travel preferably to UNITED STATES PATENTS a delivery mechanism which may include speeder belts 2,725,168 11/1955 Lindstaedt 198/165 for engaging the book from below and Speeding it 3,170,564 2/1965 Gatto 198/165 away from the transport belts. 3,262,699 7/1966 Aschenbrenner 198/165 3,437,191 4/1969 Auernhammer .1 198/135 9 Claims, 15 Drawlng Flgllres in We PATENIED wszowu SHEET 1 9 PAIENIEBmczo-nsu SHEET 20$ 9 PAIENIEmuczowu SNEHMPQ DIH PATENTED mszolsu 3. 30.354 SEE} 60$ 9 Own- "W 3.830.354 am an a mm: mm:

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FEED, TRANSPORT AND DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR BOOK TRIMMERS AND THE LIKE This is a division of application Ser. No. 1 14,225 filed Feb. 10, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,722,336.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a means for transporting an object such as a book through apparatus designed to perform successive operations on the object.

The invention particularly pertains to transport mechanism such as would be used in a two station, three knife book trimmer apparatus.

Automatic book trimming apparatus includes means for holding a stack of books to be trimmed, means for feeding one or more books at a time from the stack to a first cutting station where a front knife operates to cut the trailing edge of the book, means for transporting the book the a second cutting station where the belt halts and the side knives trim its head and foot, means for transporting the trimmed book to a delivery mechanism, and the delivery mechanism for receiving the trimmed book.

In utilizing the aforementioned apparatus books to be trimmed are stacked in a hopper where prestrippers contact each one successively and move it part way from beneath the stack in the hopper. Pushers move up behind the book and push it to the first cutting station.

The transport mechanism of the trimmer apparatus uses cooperating first and second pluralities or sets of moving belts. The pluralities of belts are in opposition to each other and clamp the book between them. The belts hold the book pages together and in alignment, transport the book from the first to the second cutting station, hold the book stationary at the second cutting station, and then carry the book beyond the second cutting station to release it. The transport belts operate intermittently so as to permit the first and second station cutting operations on the book to be performed. Displacement means cause the belts to separate at the first station, so that the book can move to the first station, and return means move the belts back to clamp the book for transporting. The displacement and return means preferably operate only on one of the pluralities of belts. In a preferred embodiment the first plurality of belts are upper belts above the books and the second plurality are lower belts, and the displacements means is means for elevating the upper belts. The transport mechanism thus described moves the book beyond the second cutting stage and releases it whereupon a delivery mechanism including continuously moving speeder belts transported away from the transport mechanism.

While the present invention is summarized above and described in detail hereafter in connection with operations performed successively on books, it is nevertheless adaptable for use in connection with other objects and is, therefore, not to be considered limited to use only in connection with books.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing the main features of a two station, three knife trimmer incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view in cross section also showing the trimmer of FIG. 1 and many of the significant elements and sub-assemblies of that trimmer;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the trimmer of FIG. 2 taken on lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of the trimmer apparatus first shown in FIG. I, here illustrated partially in cross section and showing the features of the first station of the transport mechanism, to which the feed mechanism of the trimmer apparatus delivers the object to be transported;

FIGS. 5-8 are sequential schematic drawings showing the sequence of operations of the feed and transport mechanisms of the trimmer apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the transport mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 9, showing the downstream end of the transport mechanism;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of one of the support elements for the upper transport belt;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the central upper transport belts; I

FIG. 13 is a view of the upstream portion of FIG. 12, showing the transport belt in its elevated position;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the nip which is lifted to elevate the upper transport belts; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the lower transport and speeder belts in relation to the upper transport belts of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the operation of the trimmer apparatus, of which the transport mechanism invention described in detail hereafter forms a part, a book is trimmed at the first cutting station and thereafter transported to the second cutting station at which the side knives operate. The transport mechanism includes a first plurality or set of belts for engaging one side of the book and a second plurality or set of belts disposed to face toward the first plurality for engaging the opposite side of the book. In the preferred embodiment described hereafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, there are a plurality of upper transport belts and a cooperating plurality of lower transport belts which move the book from the first cutting station to the second cutting station and, after side knife trimming, beyond the second station to a delivery mechanism.

While there may be any number of upper belts in the upper plurality or set, three is adequate as illustrated by belts 1008, 1009 and 1010. Each upper transport belt is endless and is formed of flexible, non-stretchable material having a surface with a high coefficient of friction facing toward the book. Each transport belt is atiming belt that permits positive and accurately controlled starting and stopping as described hereafter.

The upper belts are supported by a common support means, which causes the belts to squeeze down against the book. The support means comprises four towers (FIG. 3), viz. 1012 upstream and 1014 downstream along one side of the trimmer and 1016 upstream and Tower 1012 (FIG. 11), is now described, it being understood that all of the others are substantially identical. Tower 1012 includes threaded shaft 1020, which at one end is fixedly secured in spring housing 1022 and at the other end is threadedly received in cooperatingly threaded opening 1024 in interior sleeve 1026. Sleeve 1026 is held freely rotatably in bearings within exterior housing 1027. Atop housing 1027 is collar 1029, which is secured to the frame of the trimmer and thereby positions tower 1012.

At the lower end of sleeve 1026 is bevel gear 1028, which meshes with cooperating bevel gear 1030 secured on drive shaft 1032. Shaft 1032 is perpendicular to sleeve 1026 (FIGS. 10, 11, 15). Rotation, by means to be described, of drive shaft 1032 in a first direction rotates sleeve 1026 and causes the ascent of threaded shaft 1020 and of housing 1022. Rotation of shaft 1032 in the opposite direction causes the descent of housing 1022. In this manner, the height of tower 1012 and housing 1022 is adjusted.

Main tower height adjustment drive shaft 1034 (FIG. enters from the exterior of the trimmer. Its exterior portion 1036 is operated to rotate the shaft. Secured to drive shaft 1034 is bevel gear 1038 (FIG. 10), which meshes with cooperating bevel gear 1040. Gear 1040,

- in turn, meshes with gear 1033. Above described drive shaft 1032 for tower 1012 runs downstream (FIG.

from its tower to gear 1033, which is affixed to the shaft, whereby rotation of main drive shaft 1034 operates tower 1012.

Above mentioned gear 1040 is affixed to height adjustment shaft 1042 of tower 1014, whereby rotation of main drive shaft 1034 also raises and lowers tower 1014.

Main drive shaft 1034 extends across the trimmer to bevel gear 1046 (FIG. 9, 10), which is securely mounted on shaft 1034. Gear 1046 meshes with bevel gear 1048, which is attached to the height adjustment shaft of tower 1018. Therefore, rotation of drive shaft 1034 also raises and lowers tower 1018.

Gear 1048 meshes with bevel gear 1050, which is affixed to shaft 1052. Shaft 1052 (FIG. 9) extends upstream to bevel gear 1054, which is secured thereto. Gear 1054 meshes with bevel gear 1056, which is attached to'the height adjustment shaft of tower 1016. Thus, rotation of drive shaft 1034 also raises and lowers tower 1016.

The direction and extent of the pitch on the threads of each of the tower support shafts, like1020 (FIG. 11), for each of the spring housings, like 1022, and the sizes of the bevel gears are chosen so that all towers ascend and descend in the same direction and to the same extent for any rotation of main drive shaft 1034.

For holding the upstream ends of the upper transport belts, upstream stay support shaft 1070 (FIG. 11) and spline shaft 1076 are carried by respective blocks 1060 .(FIG. 11) and 1061 (FIG. 9) of towers 1012, 1016. Block 1060 is secured to shaft 1064. The equivalent shaft in tower 1016 supports block 1061. Rigidly secured to and passing between blocks 1060, 1061 is upper belt stay support shaft 1070 (FIGS. 9, 11). Blocks 1060, 1061 also include respective support bearings 1072, 1074, which receive and permit rotation 4 Turning to tower 1012 (FIG. 11) as exemplary, compression spring 1066 in housing 1022 normally biases shaft 1064 downward, because one end sf spring 1066 presses against abutment 1068 on shaft 1064 and the other end of the spring presses against surface 1069 within housing 1022. Therefore, once the initial height setting is made for tower 1012, continuous pressure is applied to the surface of the book by all the upper transport belts through spring 1066 and the corresponding springs in the other towers.

At the downstream or outfeed end of the trimmer, towers 1014, 1018 (FIG. 10), which are otherwise the same as tower 1012, include respective upper support blocks 1080, 1082, which support only downstream stay support shaft 1084 (FIGS. 9, 10, 12). Shaft 1084 carries the downstream ends of the upper transport belts and also carries part of the means which drives these belts, as described below.

Turning to FIG.- 12, central upper belt 1009 is typical of all three upper belts. This belt is supported by and begins its movement from upstream guide element or roller 1086. From this roller, belt 1009 passes beneath movable guide shoe 1090 and stationary guide shoe 7 1092, both of which hold belt 1009 securely against the guiding belt 1009 and out of which the lower surface the displaceable belts, i.e. elevation of the elevatable or upper belts at their upstream ends, as described below.

of belt 1009 extends. The belt raceway is defined by side guides along the exterior sides of the shoes. Shoes 1090, 1092 are held in position by means to be described below.

At location 1096, which corresponds to the start of the operative course of the lower speeder belts, described below, shoe 1092 inclines upward causing belt 1009 to move away from the book. Belt 1009 will, therefore, not interfere with travel of the book under the influence of the continuously moving lower speeder belts.

When belt 1009 passes the downstream end 1098 of shoe 1092, it is free of the book, and the clamping force provided to belt 1009 by shoe 1092 need no longer be applied. Belt 1009 then passes over downstream drive roller 1100; idler roller 1102, which shifts in position, as described below; and over upstream roller 1086 to complete its cycle. The two outer upper belts travel through the same cycle as the central belt past corresponding elements. 1

In order to properly transport a book, the sets of op positely disposed, i.e., upper belts 1008, 1009, 1010 and the below-described lower belts, clamp the book between them. However, when the belts are in position to clamp, they block the movement of the book into the first cutting station, whereby book trimming would be precluded. To move a book into the first station, it is necessary to displace at least one of the sets of belts, here either of the upper or lower belts, and especially the portions thereof at the first station, away from the other belts. This provides an opening into which the book can be moved. The belts that are displaced or elevated, here the upper belts, are the displaceable, or more particularly, the elevatable belts. How they are elevated will now be described with reference to typical central belt 1009 (FIG. 12).

The upstream end of belt 1009 is raised by raising its upstream guide element, roller 1086 (FIGS. 12, 14). This roller is held in and moved by nip 1088 (FIG. 14).

The nip includes side plates 1104, 1106 having respective belt receiving openings 1108, 1110. Disposed between plates 1104, 1106 is nip elevating link 1112, having bolt receiving openings 1114. Bolts 1116 pass through openings 1108, 1114, 1110 to bolt plate 1104, link 1112 and plate 1106 together to move as a unit.

Link 1112 includes spline shaft receiving opening 1118, which is toothed to cooperate with spline shaft 1076. Nip 1088 of the central belt is affixed to spline shaft 1076. The nips of the outer belts differ in that they are slidable along spline shaft 1076, by means described below.

Roller 1086 is supported in nip 1088 by means (not shown) that pass through opening 1120 in plate 1104 and a correspondingly positioned opening (not shown) in plate 1106. The nip pivots about shaft 1076. Being away from that shaft, roller 1086 travels through an are when shaft 1076 pivots. Since upper belt 1009 passes over roller 1086, the front end of that belt is elevated above and returned to the book when shaft 1076 pivots.

Above mentioned movable guide shoe 1090 is fastened at its upstream end by fastening means 1122, which passes through opening 1124 in plate 1104 and opening 1126 in plate 1106, thereby fastening the forward end of shoe 1090 to nip 1088. As nip 1088 pivots up or clockwise in FIG. 12 to the position of FIG. 13, the upstream end of shoe 1090 moves up. As nip 1088 pivots down, the upstream end of attached shoe 1090 clamps belt 1009against the book at the first station.

The downstream end of shoe 1090 (FIG. 14) includes guide plate 1128, which rides in slot 1130 (FIGS. 12, 13) of fixed belt guide shoe 1092. Plate 1128 and slot 1130 hold down the downstream end of shoe 1090 against the book. Since shoe 1090 pivots up and down with nip 1088, plate 1128 slides through and pivots in slot 1130 as shoe 1090 shifts. (Compare FIGS. 12, 13).

Shoe 1092 is rigidly carried by side panels, one of which, 1132, is illustrated in FIG. 12. At the upstream end of the trimmer, panel 1132 is supported on stay shaft 1070 by support bracket 1134, which is rigidly connected to stay shaft 1070. At the downstream end, panel 1132 is supported by housing 1198 for idler roller 1102, which is described below, which housing is rigidly supported on downstream stay shaft 1084.

Roller 1086 and shoes 1090, 1092 press belt 1009 against the book at the first or front knife cutting station and continue to press the belt on the book as the book moves to the side knife cutting station.

Spline shaft 1076 (FIGS. 4, 12-15), pivots clockwise in FIGS. 12-14 to raise nip 1088, and the means that causes this is a displacement or an elevation means because it raises upper belt 1009. Shaft 1076 also pivots counterclockwise to return nip 1088 to the book, and the means that causes this is a return means because it returns belt 1009 to its book transporting position.

Rigidly secured to spline shaft 1076 is driving link 1136 (FIGS. 4, 12, 13, 15). Link 1136 is pivoted counterclockwise under the influence of compression spring 1140, which presses at one end against abutment 1142 secured to link 1136 and on the other end against stationary abutment 1144. Abutment 1144 is nonrotatably secured on immovable stay shaft 1070. Since counterclockwise pivoting of link 1136 and shaft 1076 forces upper belt 1009 against the book, the belt is spring biased against the book.

For rotating shaft 1076 clockwise to raise upper belt 1009, also secured to drive link 1136 is cam follower roller 1146, which is engaged by camming link 1148 (FIGS. 4, 12, 13). Link 1148 is pivotable about fixed pivot 1150 (FIG. 4). Link 1148 supports cam follower roller 1152. Compression spring 1154 drives link 1148 clockwise in FIG. 4 and holds roller 1152 against profiled cam surface 1156. Springs 1154 (FIG. 4), 1140 (FIG. 12) cooperate to drive both of links 1148, 1136 to return upper belt 1009 against the book. Profiled cam surface 1156 pivots link 1148 counterclockwise in FIG. 4, which pivots link 1136 and spline shaft 1076 clockwise and raises the upper belts.

The distinctions between the upstream ends of central belt 1009 and of outer belts 1008, 1010 are minor and are considered below.

Turning to the downstream support for central transport belt 1009, the belt passes about drive roller 1100 (FIG. 10, 12). This drive roller is also secured on a spline drive shaft, 1160, and for central belt 1009, roller 1100 is fixedly secured in position on spline shaft 1160. As with the upstream ends of the upper belts, the outer upper belt drive rollers, located downstream in the transport mechanism, can shift along spline shaft Spline shaft 1160 (FIG. 10), at one end is carried in bearing 1172, which is secured in support panel 1174, and at its other end in bearing 1180 in support panel 1 182. Panels 1174, 1182 are affixed on stay shaft 1084. Panel 1174 is on flat connecting panel 1176, which connects with support block 1080 of tower 1014. Panel 1182 is on flat connecting plate 1184, which connects with support block 1082 of tower 1018 and which supports below described gear 1384. On spline shaft 1160 is affixed spline shaft bevel drive gear 1186 (FIGS. 9, 10). The means for driving gear 1186 will be considered further below. Driving of gear 1186 rotates spline shaft 1160. This drives drive roller 1100 (FIGS. 10, 12) and thereby moves central upper transport belt 1009 over its course. The corresponding drive rollers for outer upper belts 1008, 1010 are also mounted on spline shaft 1160 (FIG. 10) and are rotated thereby to move their respective belts. The outer upper belts will be considered below.

When front nip 1088 elevates from its position in FIG. 12 to that in FIG. 13, front guide element roller 1086 pivots upward and outward, away from downstream guide element roller 1100. This increases the total length of the course traveled by belt 1009 and increases the distance traveled by belt 1009 from front roller 1086 to stationary shoe 1092. Idler roller 1102 keeps belt 1009 taut. It does so by creating a deep bend in the return non-operative course of belt 1009. Since belt 1009 does not stretch, when the path of belt 1009 lengthens, roller 1102 is shifted to reduce the extent of the bend that that roller creates in belt 1009.

Roller 1102 is carried on support shaft 1192 (FIG. 12), which passes through and is supported by two idler roller support panels, only one of which, 1194, can be seen. Panel 1194 includes bearing 1196, which receives and permits panel 1194 to freely pivot about stay shaft 1084. Spring housing 1198 is immovably secured to stay shaft 1084. Within a receiving slot in housing 1198 is compression spring 1200, which passes into slot 1202 of interior housing 1204. This housing is secured by means 1206 to panel 1194. Spring 1200 presses against wall 1208 in housing 1204. Spring 1200 continuously biases panel 1194 and idler roller 1102 to move in the counterclockwise direction of arrow 1210 in FIG. 12. When nip 1088 elevates, roller 1102 is drawn clockwise about shaft 1084 and spring 1200 is compressed.

The basic differences between central upper transport belt 1009 just described and outer upper transport belts 1008, 1010 (FIG. 10) arise because the outer belts are, respectively, connected with housings 1211, 1212 for the side trimming knives, which are described below. As housings 1211, 1212 are moved toward and away from each other to adjust for different height books, the outer upper transport belts are'correspondingly adjusted, and thereby engage the book near its upper and lower edges.

Outer upper transport belt 1010 (FIG. 9) is exemplary. The upstream portion of the means supporting and operating that belt is identical to that means for central belt 1009, with the following exceptions. Instead of being supported by a bracket like bracket 1134, main housing 1224 for belt 1010 is rigidly secured by means 1226 to support panel 1230. Panel 1230 has clearance openings therethrough for stay shaft 1070 and spline shaft 1076. Nip link 1232 which is the equivalent of nip link 1112,) includes an opening through which spline shaft 1076. passes and which is splined to cooperate with and be pivoted by shaft 1076. However, this opening has sufficient clearance to permit nip link 1232 to be slid along shaft 1076 in a manner to be described. 7

Edge 1238 of panel 1230 faces downstream and rides in narrow width elongated slot 1240 in side knife housing 1212. Slot 1240 has substantially the width of panel 1230, whereby the movement of side knife housing 1212 with respect to housing 1211, by means to be described, carries along panel 1230 and the upstream central belt 1009, with the following exceptions. Belt 1010 passes around downstream drive roller 1246 (FIGS. 9, 12), which is mounted on downstream spline shaft 1160 by means of a cooperatingly splined opening through the roller. Like upstream nip lifting link 1232, downstream drive roller 1246 is so mounted on its spline shaft 1160 as to be able to be slid therealong upon shifting of side knife housing 1212. In place of pivoting side panels, like 1 194, there are pivoting panels, like 1248, which are mounted to be both pivotable about and slidable along stay shaft 1084 as side knife housing 1212 shifts with respect to housing 121 1. Idler roller 1252 freely rotates about shaft 1254, which is secured to panel 1248, and functions the same as idler roller 1102. For biasing idler rollerl252 to move counterclockwise in the direction of arrow 1210 in FIG. 9, compression spring 1258 presses on shelf 1260, which is securedto panel 1248, and on abutment collar 1262. Collar 1262 is carried on shaft 1264, which is supported by tower 1266. Upon lifting of nip link 1232, idler roller 1252 and panel 1248 pivot clockwise in FIG. 9, compressing spring 1258. When nip lever 1232 descends, spring 1258 forces roller 1252 to return to its illustrated position.

To tower 1266 and housing 1224 is attached support panel 1270, through which stay shaft 1084 passes with clearance. Panel 1270 is connected with panel 1248 so as to cause that panel and its opposite number (not shown) to move sideways with panel 1270. Panel 1270 includes a downstream extension portion 1274 (FIGS. 9, 10), with an opening therethrough for spline shaft 1160, for acting upon drive roller 1246 to move it sideways.

As with upstream panel 1230, downstream panel 1270 (FIG. 9) has an upstream facing interior edge 1284, which extends into cooperating slot 1286 in side knife housing 1212. Slot 1286 is of substantially the same width as panel 1270 and is vertically elongated so as to permit raising and lowering of drive roller 1246 and belt 1010 in the manner described above.

As panel 1270 is moved sideways by housing 1212, extension 1274, roller 1246, panels 1248, idler roller 1252 and the downstream portions of housing 1224 and belt 1010 are all correspondingly shifted.

Upper belt 1008 (FIGS. 10, 15) and the apparatus which supports and operates both its upstream and downstream ends are identical to those for belt 1010, except that support panels 1030, 1070 are in each case located to the outside of the belts, rather than between neighboring belts.

LOWER TRANSPORT BELTS Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 4, 9, l0 and 15, for each one of the first set of belts in opposing relation, i.e., the displaceable or elevatable or upper transport belts 1008,

1009, 1010, there is a cooperating one of a second set of belts in opposing relation to the first set, i.e., the nondisplaceable or lower transport belts 1290, 1292, 1294, which engage the bottom surface of the book. Each lower belt is aligned with its respective upper belt so as to effectively clamp the book between them. The lower belts are comprised of the same materials as the upper belts. While the upper belts may be raised and lowered for differing book thicknesses, the lower belts are not so movable, and their operative, upper, book engaging courses remain at a constant height.

Central belt 1292 (FIGS. 3, 15) will be described. Belts 1290, 1294 are designed and function in substantially the same way. The differences will be noted later. Central belt 1292 travels from guide roller 1302 along its upper operative course in the direction of arrow 1304 in FIG. 15 through the grooved raceway in fixed rigid support and guide shoe 1306. Shoe 1306 being near roller 1302 and ends near redirecting roller 1308. The shoe presses the operative course of belt 1292 against the underside of the book, which is being pressed thereagainst by upper belt 1010. Belt 1292 passes around redirecting roller 1308; idler roller 1310; drive roller 1312; and returns to upstream guide roller 1302. Upstream guide roller 1302, shoe 1306, redirecting roller 1308 and guide roller 1310 are all carried by rigid lower belt housing panels 1314, which are positioned on both sides of the lower central transport belt. Appropriate support bearings permit rotation of the rollers in place. Panels 1314 are supported in place by means (not shown) to the trimmer frame.

Redirecting roller 1308 is located approximately beneath upturn 1096 (FIG. 12) in upper central belt shoe 1092, whereby the positive grip on the book, which is provided by lower belt 1292, ceases at about the same location as upper belt 1009 begins to release the book.

For operating belt 1292, its drive roller 1312 (FIGS. 3, must be rotated. That roller is affixed on spline shaft 1332 and rotates therewith. Roller 1312 does not shift along shaft 1332 as do the drive rollers of outer lower belts 1290, 1294, as described below. The means for rotating spline shaft 1322 is also considered below.

Outer transport belts 1290, 1294 are identical to each other. The ways in which belt 1294 differs from central belt 1292 are now described. Belt 1294 passes over guide support shoe 1320. Shoe 1320 extends downstream slightly past the downstream end of central belt shoe 1306. Past the downstream end of shoe 1320, belt 1294, at 1322, inclines downward away from the lower surface of the book, passes around adjustable idler roller 1326 and toward its drive roller 1324, which is mounted on spline shaft 1332. The belt then returns to guide roller 1328. As with central belt 1292, belt 1294, guide roller 1328, shoe 1320, drive roller 1324 and idler roller 1326 are all enclosed between housing panels 1330, which are connected by means 1331 to neighboring side knife housing 1212 so as to move therewith. Belt 1294 is spaced away from housing 1212 a distance such that it is arranged to cooperate with and be substantially aligned beneath its upper transport belt, which is also secured to housing 1212. Both the upper and lower belts thereby remain aligned. Drive roller 1324 is mounted on spline shaft 1332 so as to be rotated by that shaft and yet be shiftable therealong as housing 1212 moves.

in addition to the transport mechanism there are other separately identifiable mechanisms making up the disclosed trimmer apparatus which are not described herein in great detail. These include speeder belts 1361, 1334 and 1360 which take the book away from the transport belts, the drive mechanism for the belts, a delivery table 1410 (FIGS. 1, 3), table filler strips 1425 and 1426, the side knife 1491 and its assembly, etc. Although the appended claims are directly to the disposed transport mechanism, it will be understood that variations and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art after benefit of this disclosure. It is intended therefore that the appended claims cover all forms which fall within the spirit of the invention as determined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An object transport means for transporting an object from a first station to a second station and then to a location beyond said second station comprising:

at least one transport belt having an operative surface for supportably engaging the object from the underside thereof at said first station; said first belt being supported to travel from said first station toward and past said second station along a first predetermined pathway and remaining in supported engagement with the object while said belt is travelling; drive means for driving said first transport belt;

at least one second transport belt located generally above said first transport belt and having its own operative surface arranged to face substantially downwardly toward said first belt operative surface for engaging the object at said first station and for clamping the object between said first and second belts; said second belt also being supported to travel toward and past said second station along a second predetermined pathway and remaining in engagement with the object while said belt is travelling; drive means for driving said second belt;

means for displacing said second transport belt out of its respective said pathway and away from said pathway of the other said belt at said first station to permit the object to be positioned between said belts; and means for returning said second transport belt to its said pathway for engaging the object to be transported; said displaceable belt passing about a front guide element which is positioned at said first station; said displacing means and said return means being connected to said front guide element and moving same, thereby displacing and returning said displaceable belt by moving said front guide element therefor;

said front guide element being mounted in a nip; said nip comprising a nip link, which pivots about a pivot mount and to which link said front guide ele ment is connected; said front guide element being spaced away from said pivot mount, whereby said front guide element is moved through an are by pivoting of said nip;

said displacing means being connected to operate upon said nip link, to cause said nip link to pivot about its said pivot mount in a first direction;

said return means being connected to operate upon said nip link to cause said nip link to pivot about its said pivot mount in a direction opposite said first direction;

said pivot mount being a pivotable shaft; said displacing means further comprising a lever means connected with said pivotable shaft as to pivot same in said one direction; and said return means comprising a biasing means connected to said pivotable shaft for normally biasing said pivotable shaft in said opposite direction.

2. The transport means of claim 1, wherein either of said first and second transport belts is carried by a common support means, which provides the initial spacing between said first and second belts, and which is adjustable to permit adjustment of the spacing between said first and second belts and of the position of said pivotable shaft;

said displacing means lever means comprising a first lever secured to said pivotable shaft for pivoting same and a second lever for engaging said first lever and moving same; said first lever moving with said pivotable shaft;

cam means in engagement with said second lever for operating same to engage said first lever.

3. The transport means of claim 2, further including a contact element affixed to one of said first and second levers, by means of which said second lever engages said first lever,

whereby as said first and second belts are adjusted further apart, the lever arm of the one of said first and second levers which is contacted by said contact element lengthens and said pivotable shaft is thereby pivoted through a greater distance upon pivoting of said first and second levers, thereby displacing and returning said nip through a correspondingly greater distance. 4. The transport means of claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of first transport belts all having the same characteristics as the one said first belt and a plurality of second transport belts all having the same characteristics as the one said second belt; one of said pluralities of belts comprises displaceable belts; each said displaceable belt passing about a rear guide element positioned beyond said second station; said front and rear 4 guide elements defining the end limits of travel of said displaceable belts; all said nips of said displaceable belts being movable together;

said nip link of at least oneof said displaceable belts being mounted so as to be movable along said pivotable shaft so as to move its respective said belt away from the other said displaceable belts mounted on said shaft, thereby permitting repositioning of said displaceable belts for different size objects. 5. The transport means of claim 4, further comprising a support shaft for all said rear guide elements of said displaceable belts; said support shaft being carried by said common support means;

said rear guide element of the said displaceable belt, the said nip link of which is movable along said pivotable shaft, is so mounted on said rear guide element support shaft as to permit said rear guide element of that said belt to be moved along its said support shaft correspondingly with the movement of said nip of that said displaceable belt along said pivotable shaft. 6. The transport means of claim 4, wherein said nip link of the centrally located one of said three displaceable belts is fixedly secured to said pivotable shaft; said nip link of the outside ones of said three displaceable belts being mounted so as to be movable along said pivotable shaft, thereby moving their respective said nip links along said pivotable shaft.

7. The transport means of claim 6, wherein for each one of said plurality of first belts there is a corresponding one of said plurality of second belts;

each of the belts in the plurality thereof which is not said displaceable belts is mounted to face toward, to align with and so as to be movable with the movement of its corresponding said displaceable belt along said pivotable shaft, whereby objects are securely held between said first and second belts.

8. The transport means of claim 7, further comprising a support shaft for all said rear guide elements of said displaceable belts; all said rear guide elements of said displaceable belts are connected with their respective said nips to be movable therewith, thereby causing the ones of said displaceable belts which are movable along their respective pivotable and support shafts to move therealong in a unitary manner.

9. The transport means of claim 8, wherein said pivotable shaft is splined and passes through an opening in said nip link of those of said displaceable belts that are movable along said splined shaft; said opening through said nip lever being shaped cooperatingly with said splined shaft, so that said nip levers can pivot with said pivotable shaft. 

1. An object transport means for transporting an object from a first station to a second station and then to a location beyond said second station comprising: at least one transport belt having an operative surface for supportably engaging the object from the underside thereof at said first station; said first belt being supported to travel from said first station toward and past said second station along a first predetermined pathway and remaining in supported engagement with the object while said belt is travelling; drive means for driving said first transport belt; at least one second transport belt located generally above said first transport belt and having its own operative surface arranged to face substantially downwardly toward said first belt operative surface for engaging the object at said first station and for clamping the object between said first and second belts; said second belt also being supported to travel toward and past said second station along a second predetermined pathway and remaining in engagement with the object while said belt is travelling; drive means for driving said second belt; means for displacing said second transpoRt belt out of its respective said pathway and away from said pathway of the other said belt at said first station to permit the object to be positioned between said belts; and means for returning said second transport belt to its said pathway for engaging the object to be transported; said displaceable belt passing about a front guide element which is positioned at said first station; said displacing means and said return means being connected to said front guide element and moving same, thereby displacing and returning said displaceable belt by moving said front guide element therefor; said front guide element being mounted in a nip; said nip comprising a nip link, which pivots about a pivot mount and to which link said front guide element is connected; said front guide element being spaced away from said pivot mount, whereby said front guide element is moved through an arc by pivoting of said nip; said displacing means being connected to operate upon said nip link, to cause said nip link to pivot about its said pivot mount in a first direction; said return means being connected to operate upon said nip link to cause said nip link to pivot about its said pivot mount in a direction opposite said first direction; said pivot mount being a pivotable shaft; said displacing means further comprising a lever means connected with said pivotable shaft as to pivot same in said one direction; and said return means comprising a biasing means connected to said pivotable shaft for normally biasing said pivotable shaft in said opposite direction.
 2. The transport means of claim 1, wherein either of said first and second transport belts is carried by a common support means, which provides the initial spacing between said first and second belts, and which is adjustable to permit adjustment of the spacing between said first and second belts and of the position of said pivotable shaft; said displacing means lever means comprising a first lever secured to said pivotable shaft for pivoting same and a second lever for engaging said first lever and moving same; said first lever moving with said pivotable shaft; cam means in engagement with said second lever for operating same to engage said first lever.
 3. The transport means of claim 2, further including a contact element affixed to one of said first and second levers, by means of which said second lever engages said first lever, whereby as said first and second belts are adjusted further apart, the lever arm of the one of said first and second levers which is contacted by said contact element lengthens and said pivotable shaft is thereby pivoted through a greater distance upon pivoting of said first and second levers, thereby displacing and returning said nip through a correspondingly greater distance.
 4. The transport means of claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of first transport belts all having the same characteristics as the one said first belt and a plurality of second transport belts all having the same characteristics as the one said second belt; one of said pluralities of belts comprises displaceable belts; each said displaceable belt passing about a rear guide element positioned beyond said second station; said front and rear guide elements defining the end limits of travel of said displaceable belts; all said nips of said displaceable belts being movable together; said nip link of at least one of said displaceable belts being mounted so as to be movable along said pivotable shaft so as to move its respective said belt away from the other said displaceable belts mounted on said shaft, thereby permitting repositioning of said displaceable belts for different size objects.
 5. The transport means of claim 4, further comprising a support shaft for all said rear guide elements of said displaceable belts; said support shaft being carried by said common support means; said rear guide element of the said displaceable belt, the said nip link of which is movable along said pivotaBle shaft, is so mounted on said rear guide element support shaft as to permit said rear guide element of that said belt to be moved along its said support shaft correspondingly with the movement of said nip of that said displaceable belt along said pivotable shaft.
 6. The transport means of claim 4, wherein said nip link of the centrally located one of said three displaceable belts is fixedly secured to said pivotable shaft; said nip link of the outside ones of said three displaceable belts being mounted so as to be movable along said pivotable shaft, thereby moving their respective said nip links along said pivotable shaft.
 7. The transport means of claim 6, wherein for each one of said plurality of first belts there is a corresponding one of said plurality of second belts; each of the belts in the plurality thereof which is not said displaceable belts is mounted to face toward, to align with and so as to be movable with the movement of its corresponding said displaceable belt along said pivotable shaft, whereby objects are securely held between said first and second belts.
 8. The transport means of claim 7, further comprising a support shaft for all said rear guide elements of said displaceable belts; all said rear guide elements of said displaceable belts are connected with their respective said nips to be movable therewith, thereby causing the ones of said displaceable belts which are movable along their respective pivotable and support shafts to move therealong in a unitary manner.
 9. The transport means of claim 8, wherein said pivotable shaft is splined and passes through an opening in said nip link of those of said displaceable belts that are movable along said splined shaft; said opening through said nip lever being shaped cooperatingly with said splined shaft, so that said nip levers can pivot with said pivotable shaft. 